Visiting my fish at the Zoo...

[Andrew.oh17]

Something a little different:

I gave my fish over to the Cleveland Zoo when he started to outgrow my tank. I knew I wasn't going to upgrade and I saw they had an emperor that recently died from old age (donated from someone else in the hobby I was told) so I asked if they'd take him. Pretty cool to see him grow!

In my tank when I first got him before he started to really grow. Circa 2021-22.

Adult size at the Cleveland Zoo. March 2026

 

[drmofjeannie]

Beautiful

 

[ScottJ]

Nice!

 

[IceNein]

That's really awesome! Sad to have to give up a fish, but it's great knowing that it's in good hands and that lots of people will be able to enjoy it.

 

[mfinn]

Always loved them. Gorgeous fish.

 

[Andrew.oh17]

That's really awesome! Sad to have to give up a fish, but it's great knowing that it's in good hands and that lots of people will be able to enjoy it.

Agreed, it was hard but glad I did it in the end. I wan't ready to upgrade the tank again and he grew from a tiny 1/2" fish to a decent size in my 65g. It's been fun to take the kids to see it, too!

 

[Netfish and Chill]

That is awesome! Glad you get to go back and visit your fish!

 

[BriDroid]

That is so awesome! I’m glad you get to see it still.

 

[kevgib67]

So great that you can still see and check up on her! O-H!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

That’s pretty awesome you were able to donate your fish like that and still get to see them!

 

[bmheath]

One of my favorite fish for sure

 

[mfinn]

I remember seeing pictures of Emperor Angels back in the day before I started saltwater and thinking that was a fish I would love to have. Especially the adult colors. Unfortunately I never have had a tank suited for an adult.

 

[BryanM]

That is quite cool.

 

[FernBluffReef]

Awesome. Great to be able to visit.

I talked to the local zoo here about rehoming my Ritteri as it’s over 2’ now and they are not currently accepting nems / largely say they will only take from other aquariums anyway . Glad to see there is potential for forever homes when outgrown

 

[vetteguy53081]

Something a little different:

I gave my fish over to the Cleveland Zoo when he started to outgrow my tank. I knew I wasn't going to upgrade and I saw they had an emperor that recently died from old age (donated from someone else in the hobby I was told) so I asked if they'd take him. Pretty cool to see him grow!

In my tank when I first got him before he started to really grow. Circa 2021-22.

Adult size at the Cleveland Zoo. March 2026

Looks great

 

[sgdnycct]

Awesome

 

[JumboShrimp]

Great post!!!

 

[Andrew.oh17]

Awesome. Great to be able to visit.

I talked to the local zoo here about rehoming my Ritteri as it’s over 2’ now and they are not currently accepting nems / largely say they will only take from other aquariums anyway . Glad to see there is potential for forever homes when outgrown

Wow, that's a big anemone! I may have reached out at the right time, too. They were getting ready to renovate their Red Sea exhibit...for awhile I was going up there and he was still in a tank in the back while construction was going on. Tidal Gardens was nice enough to take my big blue tang...I don't get to see him as often, though. Get so attached to these fish it's hard to give them away to just anyone!

 

[arissa_han1012]

Awesome!! Pretty!

 

[sheasta]

Agreed, it was hard but glad I did it in the end. I wan't ready to upgrade the tank again and he grew from a tiny 1/2" fish to a decent size in my 65g. It's been fun to take the kids to see it, too!

I am considering getting a tiny Emperor angel for my 75. I plan on upgrading to a 280 in about 3 years. I’m curious how long you were able to keep him in your 65 before he needed to be rehomed. I normally only feed at least once daily with a few days a week a second feeding